Pre-conference Workshops

Bridging Perspectives: Strategies for Resilient Leadership from Both Sides of the Border

08:30 to 16:30

Co-hosted by CBIE and the AIEA Leadership Academy.

International education is at a critical inflection point. Institutions are navigating intensifying financial pressures, shifting political priorities, and heightened public scrutiny, all of which demand bold, adaptive leadership. Today’s leaders must cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets, embrace innovation, and model resilience in order to guide their institutions and teams through uncertainty.

This interactive workshop, developed through a unique collaboration between the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) and the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) Leadership Academy, will draw on the complementary strengths of Canadian and American institutional contexts. Designed especially for new and emerging leaders, the workshop provides practical strategies to strengthen their work and support their institutions during challenging times. Through case studies, dialogue, and scenario-based exercises, participants will explore approaches that go beyond traditional models of leadership to foster agility, resourcefulness, and sustained impact.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Develop entrepreneurial approaches to institutional change, fostering innovation and resilience in times of disruption.
• Strengthen communication strategies that build trust and articulate the value of internationalization to diverse stakeholders.
• Consider adaptive financial and operational models that support sustainable and future-ready initiatives.
• Explore new forms of global collaboration that advance talent development, research engagement, and inclusive international learning.

Facilitators